Aligned Data Centers Invests $100,000 in Skilled Trades Workforce Development Through mikeroweWORKS Foundation

Aligned Data Centers has committed $100,000 to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to bolster workforce development in skilled trades crucial for constructing and maintaining data center infrastructure. The contribution directly funds scholarship programs that provide training and certifications for careers in welding, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other high-demand trades.

Michael Morris, Chief Development Officer of Aligned Data Centers, highlighted the increasing demand for skilled professionals in critical infrastructure sectors. The partnership with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation represents a strategic investment in the future workforce required to build, operate, and maintain the complex, high-performance data centers essential for AI, cloud, and enterprise applications. This donation aligns with Aligned's broader Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives focused on education and workforce development.

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation, established by television personality Mike Rowe, addresses America's skilled labor gap through its Work Ethic Scholarship Program. Rowe emphasized that principles of hard work, determination, and respect for others remain consistently valuable and form a core component of their scholarship program. The foundation has awarded $16 million in scholarships since its inception to individuals pursuing training for skilled jobs in high demand.

This investment arrives during a critical period of rapid expansion in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and high-performance computing workloads, all requiring sophisticated data center infrastructure. The skilled trades supported by these scholarships form the foundation for constructing and maintaining the facilities that power digital transformation across multiple industries. For additional information about Aligned Data Centers' sustainable infrastructure solutions, visit https://www.aligneddc.com.

The initiative addresses a significant industry challenge where technological advancement outpaces available skilled labor, potentially impacting the timeline and quality of data center construction projects worldwide. As businesses increasingly rely on AI and cloud services, the availability of qualified tradespeople becomes essential for maintaining operational continuity and supporting future growth in the digital economy.